No differences in muscle protein synthesis rates following ingestion of wheat protein, milk protein, and their protein blend in healthy, young males

• DOI: 10.1017/s0007114521000635
• Publication Date: 2021-02-18T07:46:18Z
• Authors: Philippe J.M. Pin...; Imre W.K. Kouw; Floris K. Hendriks; Janneau M.X. van ...; Lisette C.P.G.M. ...; Lex. B. Verdijk; Tim Snijders; Luc J.C. van Loon
• Keywords: STIMULATION; Male; protein blends; LEUCINE; Muscle Proteins; Muscle protein synthesis; Young healthy males; Dairy; Eating; Young Adult; 03 medical and health sciences; Fractional synthesis rate; Double-Blind Method; plant based proteins; young healthy males; Humans; plant-based proteins; RESISTANCE EXERCISE; Muscle, Skeletal; IN-VIVO; Triticum; OLDER; 2. Zero hunger; 0303 health sciences; REST; Milk Proteins; Postprandial Period; ANABOLISM; dairy; BIOPSY; fractional synthesis rate; SKELETAL-MUSCLE; CASEIN; Protein blends; Dietary Proteins; muscle protein synthesis; Plant-based proteins

AbstractPlant-derived proteins have been suggested to have less anabolic properties when compared with animal-derived proteins. Whether blends of plant- and animal-derived proteins can compensate for their lesser anabolic potential has not been assessed. The present study compares post-prandial muscle protein synthesis rates following the ingestion of milk protein with wheat protein or a blend of wheat plus milk protein in healthy, young males. In a randomised, double-blind, parallel-group design, 36 males (23 (sd 3) years) received a primed continuous L-[ring-13C6]-phenylalanine infusion after which they ingested 30 g milk protein (MILK), 30 g wheat protein (WHEAT) or a 30 g blend combining 15 g wheat plus 15 g milk protein (WHEAT+MILK). Blood and muscle biopsies were collected frequently for 5 h to assess post-prandial plasma amino acid profiles and subsequent myofibrillar protein synthesis rates. Ingestion of protein increased myofibrillar protein synthesis rates in all treatments (P < 0·001). Post-prandial myofibrillar protein synthesis rates did not differ between MILK v. WHEAT (0·053 (sd 0·013) v. 0·056 (sd 0·012) %·h−1, respectively; t test P = 0·56) or between MILK v. WHEAT+MILK (0·053 (sd 0·013) v. 0·059 (sd 0·025) %·h−1, respectively; t test P = 0·46). In conclusion, ingestion of 30 g milk protein, 30 g wheat protein or a blend of 15 g wheat plus 15 g milk protein increases muscle protein synthesis rates in young males. Furthermore, muscle protein synthesis rates following the ingestion of 30 g milk protein do not differ from rates observed after ingesting 30 g wheat protein or a blend with 15 g milk plus 15 g wheat protein in healthy, young males.